I need help with turtle identification?

Question

One of my friends got a baby turtle from a girl that had found it (I think in her yard). We want to set him free, but we don't know where to put him (near water, etc) His shell is about the size of a half-dollar coin, with a roundish ridge down the middle. He has a short pointed tail, and kinda spiky "fingers". It's hard to tell because we don't want to handle him too much, and he's really small. His belly is yellowish. He has a bit of a pointed beak mouth, but it doesn't seem all big like a snapping turtle. His shell is not as tall as a "box turtle", but he's not super-flat either. If anybody can help me I would really appreciate it.
I would just turn him loose, but he's so tiny that I'm afraid if he's not in the right habitat he won't make it.
Any links would help too!
Thanks!

Answer 1

You are describing any of a dozen young turtles, but very likely a Yellow-belly Slider.

Take it to a 'wildish' place near the original yard and let it go. it will be fine!

Thank you for wanting to do the right thing!


(Oh- and an easy way to ID many animals is to Google "(your state) (animal type)", like "iowa turtle". Most states and universities run identification sites.)

Answer 2

A geographic location might be of some help in identification, but since you've mentioned snapping turtle, I'll assume you're in the US.

This is what snappers look like as hatchlings: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images14/BabySnappingTurtle.JPG

Other common turtles with a ridge down their backs are map turtles, and these lack projections to the side from the front half of the shell. You might be able to get a better idea of the species by doing an internet search of "(the state you're in) turtles identification photos" at least you'll get a list of the species that fit your location.

Other than box turtles, most will need some access to water, either pond/lake or river/stream. Since a turtle won't be travelling long distances to lay their eggs, find a habitat similar to what's near your friend's house.

Answer 3

Congrats on saving the cute lil' thing! It would be a good idea to release the tortoise (land) or turtle (water) near a creek bed, or in some damp grass near a pond. Both turtles and tortoises regulate heat with sunlight, and this will give the animal a choice of where to go. It's wild, so it will figure out where it wants to go by instinct.
BTW-don't call a zoo, I worked at one as a reptile keeper intern, and was raised in one (My dad is a zoo director), and we never had time to take phone calls about animal IDs. Your vet will probably not be able to help you with a wild animal ID either, so check with a local nature preserve, or Forestry Commission.

Answer 4

Your description of the decrease shell makes it sound like a river cooter, which isn't got here across everywhere close to MN. The ridge means which you're real approximately being a map turtle. the two the fake map and user-friendly map turtles are modern in MN. The keels are greater pronounced interior the fake map turtle and the neck stripes attain the attention in that species, nmot interior the user-friendly map turtle.

Answer 5

try calling the zoo....they have a fantastic reptile vet and they would be able to tell ya what you have. and what type of habitat is the best for it.

good luck

Answer 6

Believe it or not...turtles are pretty smart creatures. You could let him go almost anywhere, just not near a highway, and he would find his own place to go.

Answer 7

It is probably a red-eared terrapin and they live in freshwater ponds and lakes.

Answer 8

let him go to the galapogoes island casue his one